Racecards
15:20 Ayr
William Hill Ayr Gold Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2)
- 26 Runners
- Distance: 6f
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places in the back straight
- Surface: Turf
- £120,000 added
- Winner: £74,700
- 2nd: £22,368
- 3rd: £11,184
- 4th: £5,592
- Form 157172
- Age 3
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer R A Fahey
- Jockey Joseph O'Brien
chased leaders far side, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression final furlong
- Form 223947
- Age 7
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey Adrian Nicholls
behind stands side, outpaced 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, never near leaders
- Form 242500
- Age 5
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer T D Barron
- Jockey P Makin
mid-division stands side, ridden inside final 2f, stayed on under pressure final furlong, never on terms
- Form 128562
- Age 4
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 105
held up behind far side, headway over 1f out, led overall 1f out, ridden and stayed on well final furlong
- Form 100-410
- Age 5
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 104
- Trainer J S Goldie
- Jockey G Bartley
mid-division stands side, driven 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong, never near leaders
- Form 285208
- Age 8
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 103
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey M O'connell
mid-division stands side, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong, never on terms
- Form 100111
- Age 4
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 103
in touch far side, ridden and lost place 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 385664
- Age 4
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 103
- Trainer H Morrison
- Jockey D Holland
mid-division stands side, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to chase leaders inside final furlong, never nearer
- Form 22-5413
- Age 6
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 97
- Trainer D R C Elsworth
- Jockey Ted Durcan
tracked leaders stands side, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead that side and went 2nd inside final furlong, not reached far side winner
- Form 620103
- Age 6
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer W J Haggas
- Jockey Tony Culhane
chased leaders far side, outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, never on terms
- Form 731864
- Age 7
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer M & D Easterby
- Jockey P Aspell
mid-division stands side, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, never near leaders
- Form 4-28334
- Age 5
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer J R Fanshawe
- Jockey E Ahern
switched right towards stands side start, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 6-47063
- Age 5
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer L McAteer
- Jockey N G McCullagh
in touch far side, led that side over 2f out, driven and headed 1f out, ridden and no extra inside final furlong
- Form 814658
- Age 6
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 100
always towards rear stands side
- Form 0-81900
- Age 6
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer J & S Quinn
- Jockey D Swift
led far side group, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
- Form 861719
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey L P Keniry
mid-division stands side, outpaced over 1f out, ridden and weakened final furlong
- Form 956125
- Age 5
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer B Gubby
- Jockey S De Sousa
behind far side, ridden and outpaced 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, no impression
- Form 002061
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 94
- Trainer T D Barron
- Jockey Lee Newman
led stands side group, ridden well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
- Form 23-9542
- Age 3
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer M P Tregoning
- Jockey R Ffrench
chased leader stands side, lost place over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
- Form 706059
- Age 4
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 98
behind stands side, ridden over 2f out, edged left under pressure inside final furlong, never on terms
- Form 400704
- Age 6
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer R A Fahey
- Jockey George Chaloner
tracked leader far side, ridden and lost place over 1f out, soon weakened
- Form 880007
- Age 7
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer K A Ryan
- Jockey Julie Burke
chased leaders stands side, ridden inside final 2f, kept on under pressure final furlong, no impression
- Form 705-003
- Age 6
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer R A Fahey
- Jockey Lee Topliss
in touch far side, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
- Form 012318
- Age 4
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 93
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey Fran Berry
chased leaders stands side, ridden 3f out, lost place over 1f out, soon behind, eased over 1f out
- Form 300700
- Age 6
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 97
- Trainer R A Fahey
- Jockey T Hamilton
chased leaders on far side rail, ridden inside final 2f, lost place over 1f out, soon weakened
Verdict
Dandy Nicholls' propensity for winning this famous race is well known and one of his five winners in the last 10 years was REGAL PARADE in 2008. He beat stablemate Tajneed, who is also back for another try, on that occasion and has since developed into a high-class sprinter. Without a win in Group company this season, he's dropped 11lb in the handicap and looks a cracking each-way bet from the high side of the draw. The progressive Hawkeyethenoo also exits a high stall, while Eton Rifles can choose his position from stall 16, but carries a 5lb penalty for his earlier win at Goodwood. Richard Fahey chose a low draw for his five runners and the three-year-old Mayson looks to have been laid out for this with just the one prep run this year and Paul Hanagan on board. Hat-trick hero Pepper Lane hasn't stopped improving yet and James Fanshawe also preferred a low draw for Mac's Power. Last year's Silver Cup winner Colonel Mak, Irish raider Croisultan and the enigmatic High Standing are others to consider.
Formwatch
Majestic Myles (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd inside final 2f, led entering final furlong, driven and stayed until no extra and caught last strides, 2nd of 11, hd behind Doncaster Rover (9-0) at York 7f Listed stks 3yo (1) gd in Aug.
Regal Parade 5-1fav (9-0) Held up in touch, ridden inside final 3f, no impression soon after, 7th of 11, 5l behind Doncaster Rover (9-0) at York 7f Listed stks 3yo (1) gd in Aug.
Waffle (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, still going well 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, never on terms, no impression inside final furlong, 12th of 21, 6l behind Nocturnal Affair (9-5) at Doncaster 6f hcp (2) gf.
Our Jonathan 10-1 (9-5) Held up behind stands' side, ridden and headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 19, 1 1/2l behind Pepper Lane (8-12) at Ripon 6f hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Hawkeyethenoo (IRE) 6-1fav (9-4) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, soon weakened, 16th of 23, 9l behind Bronze Prince (8-6) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gs in Jul.
Tajneed (IRE) 15-2fav (9-4) Behind far side, ridden over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, 8th of 19, 10l behind Pepper Lane (8-12) at Ripon 6f hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Pepper Lane 11-1 (8-12) Made all stands' side, ridden well over 1f out, kept on well, won at Ripon 6f hcp (2) gs in Aug beating Our Jonathan (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 19 ran.
Pastoral Player 7-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Smarty Socks (9-0) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gd.
Eton Rifles (IRE) 7-2fav (9-7) Prominent, led 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 15, 3l behind Smarty Socks (9-0) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gd.
High Standing (USA) 12-1 (9-0) Held up, headway on inside approaching final furlong, stayed on to go 3rd near finish, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Libranno (8-13) at Goodwood 7f Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.
Ancient Cross 20-1 (9-4) Towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, held by leaders, 4th of 21, 1l behind Nocturnal Affair (9-5) at Doncaster 6f hcp (2) gf.
Mac's Power (IRE) 10-3fav (9-0) Steadied start, held up, ridden 2f out, headway entering final furlong, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Swiss Dream (8-6) at Newmarket 6f Listed stks 3yo (1) gs in Aug.
Croisultan (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Bewitched (9-3) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 (1).
Anne of Kiev (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Dwelt, held up mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 8th of 11, 5l behind Humidor (9-9) at Doncaster 5f listed stks (1) gd.
Light From Mars 22-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened soon after, 16th of 17, 21l behind Highland Knight (8-9) at Sandown 1m hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Dungannon 11-1 (9-3) Held up, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, never on terms, not much room close home, 9th of 21, 3 1/2l behind Nocturnal Affair (9-5) at Doncaster 6f hcp (2) gf.
Son of The Cat (USA) 9-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders centre, effort when not much room over 1f out, driven and kept on inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 5th of 10, 3l behind Monsieur Chevalier (9-0) at Goodwood 6f Listed stks 3yo (1) gs.
Colonel Mak 3-1 (9-6) Always prominent, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, won at Ffos Las 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Aug beating Mirza (9-1) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Mayson 40-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear stands' side, headway over 2f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 19, 4 1/2l behind Pepper Lane (8-12) at Ripon 6f hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Darajaat (USA) 40-1 (8-10) Chased winner, ridden over 2f out, held on to 2nd inside final furlong, but not pace to challenge winner, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Rose Blossom (9-0) at Pontefract 6f fll lst stks (1) gf in Aug.
Breathless Kiss (USA) 33-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 11, 6l behind Humidor (9-9) at Doncaster 5f listed stks (1) gd.
Castles In The Air 33-1 (9-7) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon chased winner, no extra and lost 2 places towards finish, 4th of 15, 2 1/4l behind Sirius Prospect (8-10) at Doncaster 6f hcp 105 (2) gd.
Evens And Odds (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Mid-division far side, ridden 2f out, kept on, lost 2nd in that group towards finish, 7th of 19, 9l behind Pepper Lane (8-12) at Ripon 6f hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Kaldoun Kingdom (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 16, 1 1/4l behind Burning Thread (9-1) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 105 (2) gf in Jun.
Below Zero (IRE) 8-1 (9-11) Prominent, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, soon not much room, one pace, 8th of 15, 6l behind Sirius Prospect (8-10) at Doncaster 6f hcp 105 (2) gd.
Brave Prospector 25-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, soon beaten, 12th of 15, 13l behind Eton Rifles (9-4) at Goodwood 7f hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Group Therapy 7-1 (9-9) Slowly away, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on, 4th of 11, 1 3/4l behind Humidor (9-9) at Doncaster 5f listed stks (1) gd.